Americans Abroad: Howard and Friedel both blank their opponents

Upon returning from international duty, only a handful of Americans had successful transitions back into their clubs.

U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper Tim Howard had little problem shutting down Merseyside rival Liverpool over the weekend, notching his third consecutive clean sheet for Everton.

Stuart Holden picked up where he left off before the international break, turning in another industrious, 90-minute shift in Bolton's midfield in a victory over Stoke City.

Even though his Fulham fell to Tottenham, Clint Dempsey continued his solid run of form with an assist, giving him two goals and an assist in his last four league matches.

For two of the more important U.S. starters, though, getting regular minutes at the club level is still a struggle. Oguchi Onyewu showed flashes of his old self in the Americans' recent friendlies, but he has yet to crack a gameday roster, let alone see playing time, for AC Milan.

Jozy Altidore remains a staple on the bench for Villarreal during La Liga play, although his side's midweek UEFA Europa League fixture should provide him another chance to start and earn some more brownie points with manager Juan Carlos Garrido.

For better or for worse, here is the week in review for the Americans Abroad (season statistics encompass all competitions):

Eddie Johnson, F, Fulham -- In the 18, came on as an 84th-minute substitute in Fulham's 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday. With forward Moussa Dembele returning from injury, Johnson figures to see less playing time than he had been recently. SEASON: 6 games, 1 start

Eric Lichaj, D, Aston Villa -- In the 18, did not play in Villa's 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Saturday. SEASON: 2 games, 2 starts

Jonathan Spector, D, West Ham -- Not in the 18 for West Ham's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton on Saturday. SEASON: 2 games, 2 starts

Championship

Conor Doyle, F, Derby County -- In the 18, did not play in Derby County's 3-0 victory over Preston North End on Saturday. SEASON: 6 games, 2 starts

Zak Whitbread, D, Norwich City -- Not in the 18 for Norwich City's 0-0 draw with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. SEASON: 0 games

League One

Mike Grella, F, Carlisle United -- In the 18, came on as a halftime substitute in Carlisle's 2-1 loss to Exeter City on Saturday. Grella was sent to Carlisle on a one-month loan from Leeds United last week and saw his first game action since Aug. 10 with his latest appearance. SEASON: 3 games

Ricardo Clark, M, Eintracht Frankfurt -- Not in the 18 for Frankfurt's 3-0 victory over Kaiserslautern on Sunday. SEASON: 2 games

Jermaine Jones, M, FC Schalke 04 -- Not in the 18 for Schalke's 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. Jones was suspended for the game after being sent off in Schalke's previous match. SEASON: 9 games, 8 starts, 1 goal

Daniel Williams, D, SC Freiburg -- In the 18, did not play in Freiburg's 2-1 loss to Werder Bremen on Saturday. SEASON: 2 games

Bryan Arguez, M, G.D. Estoril Praia -- Not in the 18 for Estoril's 2-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on Saturday. SEASON: 1 game, 1 start

Greg Garza, D, G.D. Estoril Praia -- Not in the 18 for Estoril's 2-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on Saturday. SEASON: 0 games

Tony Taylor, F, G.D. Estoril Praia -- In the 18, came on as an 85th-minute substitute in Estoril's 2-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on Saturday. SEASON: 7 games, 1 start, 2 goals

SCOTLAND

Premier League

Dominic Cervi, GK, Celtic FC -- Not in the 18 for Celtic's 2-1 victory over Dundee United on Sunday. SEASON: 0 games

Freddy Adu, F, Aris Salonika -- Not in the 18 for Aris' 4-0 loss to AEK Athens on Sunday. SEASON: 0 games

MEXICO

Primera Division

Edgar Castillo, D, San Luis -- In the 18, came on as a 75th-minute substitute in San Luis' 3-2 victory over Queretaro on Saturday. SEASON: 6 games, 1 goal

Herculez Gomez, F, Pachuca -- In the 18, came on as a 63rd-minute substitute in Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Morelia on Saturday. SEASON: 10 games, 1 goal

Sammy Ochoa, F, Estudiantes Tecos -- In the 18, came on as a 78th-minute substitute and scored the game-winning goal two minutes later in Tecos' 2-1 victory over Atlas on Friday. Ochoa connected on a header in the 80th minute to help his side break a four-match winless streak. SEASON: 11 games, 5 starts, 2 goals

Jose Francisco Torres, M, Pachuca -- In the 18, came on as a 55th-minute substitute in Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Morelia on Saturday. SEASON: 9 games, 5 starts

Michael Hoyos, M, Estudiantes La Plata -- In the 18, came on as a 65th-minute substitute in Estudiantes' 1-1 draw with Colon de Santa Fe on Saturday. SEASON: 6 games, 3 starts

IRELAND

Premier Division

Ryan Guy, F, St. Patrick's Athletic FC -- Started, played 90 minutes in St. Patrick's Athletic's 2-2 draw with Shamrock Rovers in the semifinals of the FAI Cup on Sunday. The draw forced a semifinal replay to be held on Tuesday, and the winner will face Sligo Rovers in the final on Nov. 14. SEASON: 34 games, 32 starts, 7 goals

Chris Rolfe, F, Aalborg BK -- Not in the 18 for Aalborg's 1-0 loss to Sonderjyske on Saturday. SEASON: 0 games

Marcus Tracy, F, Aalborg BK -- Not in the 18 for Aalborg's 1-0 loss to Sonderjyske on Saturday. On Monday, Danish outlet Nordjyske reported that Tracy returned to the United States for knee surgery. Tracy, who has been plagued by chronic tendinitis, has been ruled out until 2011. The report also said he would return to the club in two weeks to begin another rehabilitation stint. Tracy won't start training again with Aalborg until January at the earliest. SEASON: 0 games

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